Michigan has 15 public universities (though three are technically part of just one university system — the University of Michigan). Students attending 12 of these 15 schools are paying a “college tax” — meaning that the annual net cost to them is higher than the average cost found at peer institutions in other states. The three schools that currently escape the college tax are Wayne State University, the University of Michigan-Dearborn and the University of Michigan-Flint.


  • Grand Valley State University


    42.9662, -85.8908



















    Average net price per year*:$15,934
    Median net price of peer group:$10,169
    Rank in peer group:7th of 159
    “College tax” over four years of school:+$23,060


  • Ferris State University


    43.68802, -85.48232



















    Average net price per year*:$14,370
    Median net price of peer group:$10,169
    Rank in peer group:9th of 159
    “College tax” over four years of school:+$16,804


  • University of Michigan


    42.27694, -83.73816



















    Average net price per year*:$16,888
    Median net price of peer group:$12,738
    Rank in peer group:6th highest of 73
    “College tax” over four years of school:+$16,600


  • Central Michigan University


    43.58959, -84.77393



















    Average net price per year*:$14,183
    Median net price of peer group:$10,112
    Rank in peer group:2nd of 30
    “College tax” over four years of school:+$16,284


  • Michigan Tech


    47.11918, -88.5486



















    Average net price per year*:$15,430
    Median net price of peer group:$12,439
    Rank in peer group:13th of 72
    “College tax” over four years of school:+$11,964


  • Western Michigan University


    42.28361, -85.61512



















    Average net price per year*:$15,285
    Median net price of peer group:$12,439
    Rank in peer group:12th of 72
    “College tax” over four years of school:+$11,384


  • Eastern Michigan University


    42.25165, -83.62735



















    Average net price per year*:$12,474
    Median net price of peer group:$10,169
    Rank in peer group:33rd of 159
    “College tax” over four years of school:+$9,220


  • Michigan State University


    42.7057, -84.4792



















    Average net price per year*:$14,708
    Median net price of peer group:$12,738
    Rank in peer group:15th of 73
    “College tax” over four years of school:+7,880


  • Lake Superior State University


    46.49299, -84.36444



















    Average net price per year*:$12,054
    Median net price of peer group:$10,842
    Rank in peer group:17th of 62
    “College tax” over four years of school:+$4,848


  • Northern Michigan University


    46.55834, -87.40347



















    Average net price per year*:$10,721
    Median net price of peer group:$9,731
    Rank in peer group:25th of 62
    “College tax” over four years of school:+$3,960


  • Oakland University


    42.66802, -83.2023



















    Average net price per year*:$10,972
    Median net price of peer group:$10,112
    Rank in peer group:11th of 30
    “College tax” over four years of school:+$3,440


  • Saginaw Valley State University


    43.51266, -83.96434



















    Average net price per year*:$10,870
    Median net price of peer group:$10,169
    Rank in peer group:67th of 159
    “College tax” over four years of school:+$2,804


  • University of Michigan-Flint


    43.01974, -83.68944



















    Average net price per year*:$10,058
    Median net price of peer group:$10,169
    Rank in peer group:86th of 159
    “College tax” over four years of school:-$444


  • University of Michigan-Dearborn


    42.31862, -83.23321



















    Average net price per year*:$8,689
    Median net price of peer group:$10,169
    Rank in peer group:115th of 159
    “College tax” over four years of school:-$5,920


  • Wayne State University


    42.3579, -83.0694



















    Average net price per year*:$10,147
    Median net price of peer group:$12,738
    Rank in peer group:60th of 73
    “College tax” over four years of school:– $10,364

*Average net price for all students receiving any grant or scholarship aid

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